Ball State University Athletics
Men's Hoops Tabs Walter Offutt as Director of Operations
June 03, 2016 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State men's basketball coach James Whitford has announced the hiring of Indianapolis native and former Ohio University standout Walter Offutt as the Cardinals' director of basketball operations.
Offutt comes to Muncie after serving the past two years as a graduate manager for coach John Groce at the University of Illinois. Before that, he spent one year as varsity assistant coach at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, where he also worked as a teaching assistant.
"We are really excited to hire Walter as our director of operations," Whitford said. "Walter brings great experience as a player, having helped Ohio to a Sweet Sixteen appearance, and as a member of the staff at both Illinois and Cathedral.
"He worked as a graduate manager for John Groce, someone I know well and greatly respect. Walter was a tremendous role model for the players in their program, and he will do the same for our guys. He brings great character, and I believe he will be a great asset for our program."
Offutt played his final two collegiate seasons at Ohio, starting every game and averaging 11.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest. He was an All-Mid-American Conference Third Team selection and an Academic All-MAC choice as a senior in 2013.
Offutt helped Ohio to 29 wins and an NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2012 while playing for Groce. He was named to the NCAA Midwest Region All-Tournament Team after scoring a career-high 26 points against North Carolina in the regional semifinal.
Offutt played three seasons at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, totaling more than 800 points and nearly 300 rebounds before missing his senior year to injury. The 2008 graduate was named All-Marion County and all-conference three times. He then played his first two collegiate seasons at Ohio State, appearing in 25 games, before transferring to Ohio.
Offutt earned two degrees from Ohio -- a bachelor's in business and human relations (2012) and a master's in coaching education (2013). He earned a second master's degree in educational policy studies from Illinois (2016).
